Critical success … Robert Harris at his home in Berkshire. Photograph: Jonathan Player/Rex Features

Robert Harris is to follow-up the success of his Roman Polanski collaboration, The Ghost, reports the Daily Telegraph. The British novelist, who co-wrote Polanski's political thriller, will write the adapt his own forthcoming book, The Fear Index.

The novel concerns the inventor of a computer system that can predict human mood swings, which he uses to set up a profitable hedge fund. However, matters go awry when an intruder breaches the security system. On a wider level, the book is said to be about an impending meltdown in the financial markets. "I just hope that the capitalist system doesn't collapse before publication date," Harris said recently.

The Daily Telegraph reports that The Fear Index has been picked up by 20th Century Fox, with The Bourne Ultimatum's Paul Greengrass being tipped to direct.

The Ghost was a critical success for Polanski, though post-production was mired when the director was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 on sexual assault charges. Harris became a spokesman for the film during Polanski's time under house arrest. The film-maker was eventually released in July 2010 when Swiss authorities decided not to extradite him.